Who was Harry Warner? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Harry Morris Warner, Hirsz Mojżesz Wonsal

Died At Age: 77

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Rea Levinson

father: Benjamin Warner

mother: Pearl Leah Eichelbaum

siblings: Albert Warner, Anna Warner, David Warner, Fannie Warner, Henry Warner, Jack L Warner, Jack Warner, Milton Warner, Rose Warner, Sadie Warner, Sam Warner

children: Betty Warner, Doris Warner, Lewis Warner

Philanthropists Business People

Died on: December 27, 1958

place of death: Los Angeles, California, United States

Founder/Co-Founder: Warner Bros. Entertainment, Warner Leisure Hotels

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When did Harry Warner start his career in the film industry?

Harry Warner started his career in the film industry in 1903 when he established a film exchange business.
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What role did Harry Warner play in the formation of Warner Bros. Pictures?

Harry Warner played a key role in the formation of Warner Bros. Pictures by overseeing the distribution and expansion of the studio.
3

How did Harry Warner contribute to the success of Warner Bros. Pictures during the early years?

Harry Warner contributed to the success of Warner Bros. Pictures by focusing on innovative marketing strategies and securing popular film releases.
4

What impact did Harry Warner have on the development of sound in the film industry?

Harry Warner played a significant role in the development of sound in the film industry by embracing the technology and producing the first talking picture, "The Jazz Singer."
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How did Harry Warner's business decisions influence the growth of Warner Bros. Pictures?

Harry Warner's business decisions, such as investing in theaters and introducing synchronized sound, greatly influenced the growth and success of Warner Bros. Pictures.

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Childhood & Early Life

Harry Morris Warnerwas born Hirsch Moses Wonsal, Dec 12, 1881, near Warsaw, Poland. His father, Benjamin, was a shoemaker, and his mother’s name was Pearl. There were 13 children, though several of them died in childhood. The family immigrated to the U.S. when Harry was 8 years old.

His first venture into the movie business was in 1905, when he sold his bicycle shop and purchased a theater. To furnish the second theater he bought, called the ‘Bijou’, he borrowed chairs from a local undertaker.

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Career

With his brothers Albert, Sam and Jack, he soon owned 15 theatres across Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well as a film distribution company. Due to patent laws, the high cost of securing the films persuaded the brothers they’d be better off producing their own movies. They began doing so in 1912.

‘Warner Bros. Pictures’ was established following the success of ‘The Gold Diggers’ in 1923. Around this time, Harry discovered the trained German shepherd who would become ‘Rin Tin Tin’. The dog was the studio’s most valuable asset.

The first talking picture produced by the studio, ‘The Jazz Singer’, was released in 1927. There were only two minutes of speech in the movie, but “talkies” were the new film frontier.

The studio survived the Great Depression by wooing a number of top stars from rival companies. Throughout the 1930s, gangster movies like ‘Little Caesar’ and ‘The Public Enemy’ were its bread and butter.

In 1933, a separate animation unit was created. While Harry and his brothers didn’t actually produce the movies, they released the cartoons to theaters. ‘Merrie Melodies’ and ‘Looney Tunes’ brought enduring fame to ‘Porky Pig’, ‘Sylvester’ and ‘Tweety Bird’, ‘Bugs Bunny’, and ‘Wile E. Coyote’ and ‘Road Runner’.

Contracted actor, for their production house, Paul Muni won ‘Best Actor’ in 1937 Oscar Awards. That same year, ‘The Story of Emile Zola’ won the ‘Oscar for Best Picture’.

During WWII, while releasing war films like ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy’ and ‘This Is the Army’, he spurred audiences to spend $20 million in war bonds. By 1945, his employees had donated 5,200 pints of plasma to the Red Cross.

In 1947, disgusted by the shady business practices of his brother Jack, he began to devote more time to his racehorses. He further withdrew when the studio branched into television.

Major Works

‘Little Caesar’ was one of the first films to spark the interest of audiences in the U.S. criminal justice system. It was released in 1931 and starred Edward G. Robinson.

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Warner was initially criticized for removing the word “Jew” from the script of ‘The Life of Emile Zola,’ 1937. But his decision made the film’s condemnation of prejudice universal, and the movie won the ‘Oscar for Best Picture’.

Released in 1942, ‘Casablanca’ is the tale of two men vying for the same woman. Set against the backdrop of WWII, it is one of best-loved films of all time.

Awards & Achievements

For revolutionizing the film industry, ‘The Jazz Singer’ earned a special Oscar at the first ‘Academy Awards’ ceremony in 1929. Ten years later, Harry was again honored by the Academy, receiving a certificate for patriotic short films.

He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. It’s on the north side of the 6400 block of Hollywood Blvd.

Personal Life & Legacy

Harry was married to Rea Levinson from 1907 until his death. The couple had three children, Lewis, Doris and Betty.

A man of high morals, he was incensed by his brother Jack’s marital infidelities and lack of family loyalty. He was devastated when Jack sold their film library for $21 million in 1956.

After the four siblings sold the studio to a syndicate of investors, Jack underhandedly bought back all his own shares and named himself president. The brothers never spoke again. Rea Warner blamed Jack's treachery for her husband’s eventual stroke and death on July 25, 1958 in Los Angeles.

’Slippery Rock University’ of Pennsylvania holds an annual ‘Harry Warner Film Festival’ in the institution dedicated to his name. It opened in 2004.

Facts About Harry Warner

Harry Warner was known for his frugal nature and was often seen using old newspapers instead of paper towels in the office restroom.

Despite being a successful businessman, Harry Warner enjoyed cooking and was known for hosting elaborate dinner parties for his friends and colleagues.

Harry Warner had a passion for gardening and spent hours tending to his rose garden, which was said to be one of the most beautiful in the neighborhood.

In his free time, Harry Warner enjoyed painting and was known for his whimsical and colorful artwork that he proudly displayed in his home.

Harry Warner had a soft spot for animals and was known for adopting stray cats and dogs, often bringing them to work with him and finding them loving homes.

Harry Warner Biography

You wanted to know

When did Harry Warner start his career in the film industry?

What role did Harry Warner play in the formation of Warner Bros. Pictures?

How did Harry Warner contribute to the success of Warner Bros. Pictures during the early years?

What impact did Harry Warner have on the development of sound in the film industry?

How did Harry Warner's business decisions influence the growth of Warner Bros. Pictures?